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How to Move Large
Rocks
Tips for Hauling Heavy
Stones and Concrete Block
5 tips for saving your
back
By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine
Avoid
back injury (and mashed toes!) when moving flagstones, stone steps and other
heavy materials.
A
landscaping pro shows you five ways to move stone slabs and blocks safely and
more easily by using a dolly, plastic pipe and special lifting techniques.
TIME
Instant!
COMPLEXITY
Simple
COST
Under $20
How
to Move Large Rocks Tip 1: Dolly it!
Put
stone on wheels
Avoid
the heavy lifting by sliding stone onto the dolly and rolling it to the job
site.
The
nice thing about a dolly is that you don’t have to hoist a heavy object as high
as you would with a wheelbarrow.
And
with the dolly’s two wheels and lower center of gravity, the load is much more
stable.
We
used a dolly for moving a 250-lb. plate compactor from the truck to the
excavation, for transporting large flagstones across lawns, and for hauling
stacks of brick and block to their destination.
For
heavy outdoor uses like these, rent a dolly that has large pneumatic tires.
They
roll more easily over surfaces that are rough or soft (grass). Make sure the
tires are correctly inflated or you’ll get a flat!
Walk
backward and pull the loaded dolly up a hill or stairs (Photo 2).
You’ll
have more leverage and better control. And rest the handle on your thigh to
support the weight when you have to take a quick break.
That
way you won’t need to tip the dolly upright and then tip the load down again.
Use
Your Head Before Your Back
As
a landscape contractor, I move a lot of stone, brick and concrete blocks by
hand.
I
have one basic rule: Use your head before your back.
Whenever
you face a heavy rock, timber or pile of bricks, stop and consider the various
options you have for moving it.
Reject
any technique that might cause a serious strain, especially to your back.
The
safe method may require you to make more trips, rent better equipment, ruin
more of the lawn or spend a bit more, but don’t take chances with your health.
How
to Move Large Rocks Tip 2: Roll it!
PVC
pipe rollers
Roll
heavy materials on 4-in. PVC pipe. Use this technique on relatively flat ground
only.
You’d
be amazed how easy it is to move heavy, awkward objects with three pieces of
PVC pipe.
I’ve
moved playhouses, yard sheds, empty hot tubs and rocks weighing well over a ton
with this trick.
Use
4-in. dia. “Schedule 40” PVC, which is available from home centers in 10-ft.
lengths.
Here’s
how to do it:
· Lift the front edge of the stone with a pry bar and
slip two pipes underneath. Place one near the front and one about midway so the
stone rests on the pipes.
· Position the third pipe a foot or two in front of the
stone.
· Roll the stone forward onto the third pipe until the
rear pipe comes free. Then move the rear pipe to the front and repeat.
This
technique works best on relatively flat ground. On mild slopes, you’ll need a
helper to shift pipes while you stabilize the load.
Don’t
use this method on steeper slopes.
How
to Move Large Walks Tip 3: Lift it!
Position
your body
Lay
the stone against your thighs, knees bent, and grip it low.
Sometimes
you have no choice but to lift and carry something heavy, like a stone, a sack
of concrete or a bundle of shingles.
If
so, keep the strain to a minimum. Rest the stone against your upper thighs as
shown, so you won’t have to lift the full weight with your arms (Photo 1).
Bend
your knees and keep your back as straight as possible.
As
you stand, lean back slightly so that your legs do the lifting, not your back
(Photo 2).
As
you walk with the load, watch your footing.
If
you stumble, be prepared to release the load, pushing it away with your thighs
so it doesn’t drop on your toes!
How
to Move Large Rocks: Tip 4: Walk it!
Tip
the stone up
Tip
the stone on one edge and tilt it to one side.
There’s
no need to pick up every heavy stone on the job site.
If
you’re only moving flat, heavy stones short distances, tip them up and walk
them forward (photos above).
Simply
rotate it from corner to corner. This works best on a surface you don’t mind
tearing up a bit, like grass or dirt. However, use caution on hard surfaces.
The
edges of heavy stones may chip, or they may grind scratch marks into concrete
or asphalt
How
to Move Large Rocks Tip 5: Flip it!
Three
step flip
Get
low, lift one edge of the stone and flip it over.
When
I have to move a really big stone slab by hand — one that won’t fit on a dolly —
I usually flip it.
Keep
in mind that this only works if you’re moving across grass, dirt or some other
soft surface and the stone or other heavy object is nearly impossible to break.
Wear heavy gloves.
Even
lifting the one edge can be a strain, so get low and lift with your legs and
arms, not your back.
Stay
behind the stone and keep your hands clear when you drop it forward. This is an
especially safe technique for moving heavy stuff uphill.
However,
it’s slow and best for short distances.
Required
Tools for this how to move large rocks project
A
dolly is a great landscaping tool and leather gloves are a must.
Required
Materials for this how to move large rocks project
Avoid
last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time.
Here’s a list.
PVC
pipe
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